Today I rose early for a trip to Erie, PA for another certification test. This one for School Building Leader credentials. I studied the preparation materials and committed some information to memory as best I could using some of the techniques I learned while reading, “Moonwalking with Einstein,” by Joshua Foer. I climbed in the RAV4 while it was still dark and drove the 100 plus miles to Erie. As I drove I thought of the Magnificat.
My soul doth magnify the Lord.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid;
for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Because he that is mighty,
hath done great things to me;
and holy is his name. — Magnificat
I thought of Our Lady and the devotion I have for her. I thought of how often she has protected me and guided me with the gentle touch of a mother. Today, I prayed the Magnificat often as I made my way to Erie in the pre-dawn. I believe I did well on the examination today and I have renewed faith in myself and respect for the test creators and for the testing industry in general. Today was a transformational day for me. I’m grateful for tests as they have helped me to learn even though my frustration with the process had reached a fever pitch last week. Thank you to all who may have prayed for me and for an answer to my own prayers. When I finished the examination and made my way to Barnes & Noble near Millcreek Mall for a well deserved cup of coffee and a cookie I thought of the Latin version of the Magnificat and I recited it too in thanksgiving for my good fortune today.
Magnificat: anima mea Dominum.
Et exultavit spiritus meus: in Deo salutari meo.
Orthodox tradition teaches us that the Mother of our Lord is indeed a merciful intercessor for us all and a powerfully humble example of how we should all conduct our hearts and our lives. I, too, find great calm and comfort in the rhythm of the earliest meditations. I hope that you are happy with your test results and the doors they will hopefully open. As a teacher, I’m no fan of our obsession with overdone testing and data, but as I tell my students, life is pretty much one test after another. The right kinds of tests have their place!
I sincerely hope that this time I was successful on the test. It will mean that I receive a school building leader certificate which might come in handy at some point in the future. The Orthodox tradition is so rich. I have very little experience with it but have enjoyed the exposure I have had. I was an altar boy in the pre-Vatican II days and we learned Latin and then I had three years of Latin in high school so I have some comprehension of the words. I love the Magnificat and as you know it’s a part of evening prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours which is another relatively under appreciated form of prayer. I have even come to appreciate the necessity of the testing regimen. I think it’s well intentioned. Other professions like Law, Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy must sit for boards so why not Education too. Thanks for your insights.